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Lez talk mechanical keyboards
- Thread starter Scuba Steve
- Start date
There used to be a nice wiki article on Geekhack regarding NKRO that detailed some of the ways manufacturers have tried to work around USB's limitation, but it seems Geekhack's wikis are in transition right now and I don't know where to find it. I think if you look up some specific 'boards like the old Sidewinder Microsoft released (which did like 17 or 18 KRO through a very clever PCB matrix) or the newer stuff like Noppoo (which basically creates a duplicate virtual keyboards in the OS) you can still find more detailed information. Deskthority does still have a page in their wiki regarding rollover here but it is only a general overview and doesn't cover the specifics of getting above 6KRO over USB.
If you mean the Noppoo-style solution, I'm not certain though I suspect it shouldn't be any more than your typical latency discrepancy between USB and PS/2 from the CPU polling. Polling on a keyboard is (or at least should be) so low that latency hasn't really been relevant in a very long time.
Does anyone here actually have experience with USB extension keyboard/mouse setups? Like I said earlier, I'm trying to build a new HTPC and will probably use it sitting 12-to-15 feet away from the tower. Assuming I get a keyboard with a six-foot cable, a 12-foot USB extension cable should give me enough room, maybe. How long do they make them?
joeygreco1985
Member
That sucks dude. I've been using a Razer BlackWidow with cherry blues at work for a few months and nobodys complained
The Lamonster
Member
Just got my Max Keyboard Nighthawk X8. It's fucking awesome.
Full green backlighting, Cherry MX Brown switches, installed o-ring dampeners and it feels like sex when I type.
http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-nighthawk-x8-blue-backlit-mechanical-keyboard.html
Full green backlighting, Cherry MX Brown switches, installed o-ring dampeners and it feels like sex when I type.
http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-nighthawk-x8-blue-backlit-mechanical-keyboard.html
I have been using a Das in the office for about a year now and it is fantastic
At home I use a steelseries 6gv2 [mainly because I don't want to drive my wife and daughter nuts with the click click click] but I am not a big fan of the keyboard. The amount of pressure you need to apply for a key to register is silly.
At home I use a steelseries 6gv2 [mainly because I don't want to drive my wife and daughter nuts with the click click click] but I am not a big fan of the keyboard. The amount of pressure you need to apply for a key to register is silly.
It's not that much... I hardly have to put pressure on a key for it to bottom out, and even less if I only go halfway. With a little bit of practice you can type smoothly without ever bottoming out and use hardly any pressure.
The Faceless Master
Member
Rosewill RK-9000 Mechanical Keyboard with Cherry MX Blue Switches = $50 on DailySteals
Trojita
Rapid Response Threadmaker
I was looking at possibly getting a mechanical keyboard for the first time. I think I might go with Brown's as a middle of the rode type of thing.
I was thinking about getting a DAS but I heard they switched OEM's to some crappy one.
Any recommendations for a Cherry-Brown Switch Mechanical Keyboard? Budget can be from $75-140.
I was thinking about getting a DAS but I heard they switched OEM's to some crappy one.
Any recommendations for a Cherry-Brown Switch Mechanical Keyboard? Budget can be from $75-140.
The Lamonster
Member
Max Keyboard Nighthawk X8. See my post above. Hits the ceiling of your price range though.
ROBOKITTYZILLA
Member
I have a Razer Black Widow Ultimate and it's loud as fuck. I love it but is there such a thing as a "quiet" mechanical keyboard? How does the Cherry MX Black/Red compare (sound)?
Trojita
Rapid Response Threadmaker
It looks nice, but I was told to go with a Costar Keyboard and this one seems to be made by iOne.
keeblerdrow
Member
I use a Leopold from elitekeyboards and I love it. I was planning to get a second one for the office soon.
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold
The best value in mechanical keyboards is the Rosewill board. It goes on sale at Newegg pretty regularly to around $65. People say that it is the same manufacturer as Filco; I don't know if that's true, but it's solid, high-performance with a clean, no-nonsense look.
If you're looking for something with a little more personality, I would recommend WASD. Their customized boards give you a lot of options to have fun with. You can do some pretty neat things with the full custom design that lets you submit your own vector graphics file for the keycaps.
The Lamonster
Member
My (non-mechanical) Razer keyboard crapped out after 1 year of use. Pretty sure Razer just sucks at anything that's not a mouse.
Their mice crap out within months too. I think I'm on my third DeathAdder (why do I keep buying them? Because DAs are fuck awesome when they work.)
I have the QPAD MK-50 and I love it. It's my first mechanical kb tho so I can't compare it to others.
Rickenslacker
Banned
I might pick up one of those Cooler Master tenkeyless cherry red keyboards sometime, just because I like super light keys and I can pick it up locally.
Though right now I'm rockin' a full 108 Filco Majestouch 2 with browns. It's been treating me well.
Though right now I'm rockin' a full 108 Filco Majestouch 2 with browns. It's been treating me well.
UnluckyKate
Member
Anyone having weird bugs with Razer Synapse updating 2.0 ?
dehydratedbabies
Member
So, just got the CM Quickfire Rapid Browns.
The new ones come with minimal branding. Sexy.
Oh, nice. "Minimal branding" is something a lot of PC accessory manufacturers need to embrace.
Hey guys,
I'm quite tempted to get myself a mechanical keyboard for christmas (for gaming and typing reports). I've never used one before, but I'm sure it'll be heaps better than the cheap $20 logitech keyboard I'm using at the moment.
I've seen that quite a few people in this thread got themselves a steelseries 6Gv2 and seem quite happy with it. I've looked around and found one for around NZ$170, which isn't too bad. However, I've also found another keyboard, a Ducky DK-9008, which also uses black switches and has a really similar form factor for around $20 less:
I don't really care at all about the backlight since I never look at my keyboard.
So, what I was wondering is, since both keyboards use the same switches, will they feel the exact same way when typing? Should I get the Ducky one because it's cheaper, or is the Steelseries better (I'm going to keep this keyboard for the next 5 years at least so I don't mind paying a bit more)?
Thank you!
I'm quite tempted to get myself a mechanical keyboard for christmas (for gaming and typing reports). I've never used one before, but I'm sure it'll be heaps better than the cheap $20 logitech keyboard I'm using at the moment.
I've seen that quite a few people in this thread got themselves a steelseries 6Gv2 and seem quite happy with it. I've looked around and found one for around NZ$170, which isn't too bad. However, I've also found another keyboard, a Ducky DK-9008, which also uses black switches and has a really similar form factor for around $20 less:
Steelseries
Ducky
I don't really care at all about the backlight since I never look at my keyboard.
So, what I was wondering is, since both keyboards use the same switches, will they feel the exact same way when typing? Should I get the Ducky one because it's cheaper, or is the Steelseries better (I'm going to keep this keyboard for the next 5 years at least so I don't mind paying a bit more)?
Thank you!
So, just got the CM Quickfire Rapid Browns.
The new ones come with minimal branding. Sexy.
Can I ask where you got the newer one from? That looks much nicer then the heavily branded model.
Word of warning regarding the CM Quickfire Brown, Blues and Reds.
If you really want one, I'd suggest waiting a few weeks till we are sure that the current defective stock has been sold.
I had to RMA mine since the ALT-key failed. It still sucks to pay 20$ shipping from Canada for a 70$ board.
If you really want one, I'd suggest waiting a few weeks till we are sure that the current defective stock has been sold.
I had to RMA mine since the ALT-key failed. It still sucks to pay 20$ shipping from Canada for a 70$ board.
blindrocket
Member
I'd like to know as well.
And are the red WASD keys standard or were they replaced?
The boards pictured on Amazon have the branding.
I bought the blue and black from amazon and returned them and can confirm that the red keys come standard. I didn't like the click on the blue and the black were way too hard to push. I'd like to try the brown but really want the minimal branding and hoping the construction is improved.
They even include the tool to remove the keys.
blindrocket
Member
Ah, thanks.
I like the black color for a keyboard, looks like that model only has one variety.
Vigilant Walrus
Member
I LOVE MY DUCKY. MY ducky with blue backlighting.
But I now I see they are making a Shine 2 with no numpad. shit! I need that in my life. Same amazing feel, but with less desk space taking, yet still cord and sick backlighting? when I use the highest level of backlighting I can light up my entire room, yet the lowest setting is barely visible. I love how there are so many levels of brightness.
But I now I see they are making a Shine 2 with no numpad. shit! I need that in my life. Same amazing feel, but with less desk space taking, yet still cord and sick backlighting? when I use the highest level of backlighting I can light up my entire room, yet the lowest setting is barely visible. I love how there are so many levels of brightness.
So, just got the CM Quickfire Rapid Browns.
The new ones come with minimal branding. Sexy.
FUCK. I wish I got this one. All these tacky ass Cooler Master logos on mine are fucking horrific. Seriously, there's no space left untouched on this keyboard.
So, just got the CM Quickfire Rapid Browns.
The new ones come with minimal branding. Sexy.
I was doing some digging last night and found the geekhack.org site which has a lot of mechanical keyobard discussion. A rep from CM is on the site and confirmed that this is the new production of the KB's after listening to customer feedback. Another user in the thread confirmed that he got the new minimal branding model from Amazon with both Brown and Red switches.
After all of that and seeing those red ASWD keys in this photo (looks so damn sexy). I placed my order for the brown switches. Hoping they're not too resistant.
ElfArmy177
Member
Be honest with me. Are they really worth it? Do you feel as though your a better gamer with them or is it just something you're used to or prefer??
thanks!
thanks!
I use a Ducky shine 2 tenkeyless with white backlighting and red switches at home and I really like it for gaming. However, when it comes to every day typing I greatly prefer the DAS pro keyboard with brown switches that I use at work. I don't have enough experience with mechanical keyboards to tell you if that's because of the difference in switches or the brand. That said, they're both very good.
For me, I absolutely hate the number pad on a full size kb. The only quality KB I can find that is ten keyless are mechanical. I do prefer typing on the Cherry Blue switches but I can't stand the loud clacking, so I'm hoping the brown is the nice sweet spot for me. But from a performance perspective, I do have moments when typing on a blue where I'm typing noticeably faster. It's just a better overall feel.
I honestly wouldn't recommend if you're just a gamer. Don't really see the benefit. And for something like VVV, I'm convinced it's actually worse (*puts on flame suit*).
But I would never, ever go back. Mechanical for life. Because if you type a lot, there's a major boost for speed and accuracy.
Preference and quality. You get a lot more feedback from a mechanical switch, so they're generally a joy to type on, and they'll last a lot longer than your typical membrane keyboard in most cases. As for gaming, it probably won't make a huge difference, but I know I enjoy playing games more when I'm using equipment that I'm really comfortable with.
Diomedes
Member
Be warned though, the usb is only attached to the KB by solder, not very strong, so if you plu/unplug your KB often (say take to work and back for eg) you may be in for problems. Other than that though, I agree they are a good deal. Had a brown MJ2 develop a mighty squeaky Backspace key and sent it back, tried Rosewill Red and pretty happy with it (doesn't travel).
Thinking of also picking up that sexy CMstorm now that it looks much cleaner, but will wait for L-ALT production issues to be resolved.
I think that issue is probably with the older batch. I began having issues with the bottom left side of my keyboard. The Z key in particular sucked. But because the warranty service lasted two years (and is a PITA), I was putting off RMAing. For some reason, everything is back to working perfectly again. So I'm sure I'm in that batch. This is an older keyboard BTW.
Was that an older board, or the new revision?
Was that an older board, or the new revision?
Vigilant Walrus
Member
I think the type of switches is really a preferences.
I have blue switches. Would love to try Brown.
Wow, didn't know this thread existed.
Rosewill Cherry MX red is currently on sale with promo code EMCJHJJ232
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...EMC-121112-Index-_-Keyboards-_-23201044-L033B
$54.99
I'm strongly considering it. Reviews suggest the mini usb cable sucks and to replace it asap but other than that, any thoughts on Rosewill? This is the cheapest cherry MX red keyboard I've seen.
Rosewill Cherry MX red is currently on sale with promo code EMCJHJJ232
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...EMC-121112-Index-_-Keyboards-_-23201044-L033B
$54.99
I'm strongly considering it. Reviews suggest the mini usb cable sucks and to replace it asap but other than that, any thoughts on Rosewill? This is the cheapest cherry MX red keyboard I've seen.
The Lamonster
Member
1 month later, still absolutely loving my Nighthawk. You guys should really check these out.
prodystopian
Member
I got the CM QuickFire Rapid with Blacks a couple of weeks ago (heavy branding, which I don't mind) just in time to play a lot of Diablo with it. I am loving it and typing on it is great too. If I buy another keyboard it'll be with Blues for work, but I really like the blacks for home use which is light typing and some gaming.
I think I remember seeing a sale on that for $100. Looks pretty awesome. I'm sad the Cherry MX red only has red or white backlight though. My computer's theme is blue.